“It Wasn’t Just a Song, It Was Worship”: Jamal Roberts Moves Brooklyn with Hezekiah Walker Tribute

On July 25, 2025, the Virginia Union University Gospel Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at Bethesda Cathedral in Brooklyn was filled with music, memory, and celebration. But it was one moment — when Jamal Roberts took the stage — that turned a night of tributes into an experience of worship.

Roberts, a rising name in gospel and a 2022 VUU graduate, was invited to perform a cover of Hezekiah Walker’s well-known anthem “Wonderful Is Your Name.” The song, originally recorded in 1999 by Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, is a staple in contemporary gospel — a praise declaration known for its heartfelt lyrics and rousing arrangement. For many, it’s more than a song; it’s a testimony.

From the first notes of Roberts’ rendition, it was clear the performance would be different. He began gently, accompanied by sparse piano chords, letting the lyrics speak. “All of my life, I’ve never known You to fail…” he sang, his voice steady but full of intention.

As the arrangement built, so did Roberts’ presence. With each chorus, his voice opened up — warm, rich, and controlled, but deeply emotional. The small choir behind him followed his lead, creating a rising wall of sound that filled the cathedral. The atmosphere shifted. What started as a musical performance soon became a moment of corporate worship.

“By the second chorus, I wasn’t thinking about the stage,” Roberts later shared. “I was thinking about the goodness of God.”

Many in the audience — including gospel artist Jekalyn Carr, who had performed earlier — stood to their feet. Others lifted their hands. Some cried. One attendee described the experience online: “Jamal didn’t just sing the song. He carried us into worship.”

But the most surprising moment came near the end, as Roberts repeated the song’s signature phrase: “Wonderful is Your name…” Hezekiah Walker, seated in the front row, stood up and joined in. The duet was brief, unplanned, and heartfelt. When it ended, the room erupted in applause.

Backstage, Walker praised Roberts’ performance as “anointed and honoring.” He added, “That young man reminded me why I wrote that song in the first place.”

Jamal Roberts, while gaining more visibility through viral covers and a soon-to-be-released debut EP, remains grounded in his roots. His focus is not just on artistry but on ministry. And that was clear throughout his performance in Brooklyn.

“To sing that song in front of Hezekiah, in his hometown, was humbling,” Roberts said. “I wasn’t trying to make a name for myself. I just wanted to do it justice.”

The 2025 VUU Gospel Hall of Fame Induction was a celebration of legacy. But in Jamal Roberts’ hands, “Wonderful Is Your Name” became something more: a live testament to gospel’s future — one anchored in worship, integrity, and purpose.